Photo: Lockheed-Martin
The next generation of hypersonic missile technology is due to take shape at American defense contractor Lockheed-Martin’s new Advanced Hypersonic Strike Production Facility, which officially opened yesterday.
The Advanced Hypersonic Strike Production Facility, soon to be officially christened Missile Assembly Building Four (MAB 4), will manufacture the US Air Forces GM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). It will do that with accompanying infrastructure for hypersonic systems for the Army and Navy, with technology intended to be shared between multiple military branches.
Additionally, according to direct sources, the facility will produce the Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) missile. Both systems utilize shared significant components, like the hypersonic glide vehicle, which can deliver ordinance at speeds not attainable by other methods. The vehicle has the potential to launch from a number of different bases and vehicles, including from ships and from B-52 jet bombers.
The new facility located in Courtland, Alabama, adds to Lockheed Martin’s impressive repertoire of state-of-the-art manufacturing plants. Including their facility dedicated to building the world’s fleet of F-35 Lightning II multirole jet fighters, which is part of the most expensive military project in human history.
The Courtland plant is one of four so-called “intelligent factories” that Lockheed Martin will open this year. All new facilities will work closely with the US Department of Defense to maintain manufacturing deadlines. Lockheed Martin's top brass seems confident the new 65,000 square foot facility is up to the task.
It’s been over 50 years since the first hypersonic human-crewed aircraft shattered every speed record ever put on paper in the X-15. The intellectual property of North American Aviation, the company that designed and built the famous rocket plane, is now owned by Lockheed-Martin. And so, the next chapter is ready to unfold in the story of hypersonic flight.
Additionally, according to direct sources, the facility will produce the Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) missile. Both systems utilize shared significant components, like the hypersonic glide vehicle, which can deliver ordinance at speeds not attainable by other methods. The vehicle has the potential to launch from a number of different bases and vehicles, including from ships and from B-52 jet bombers.
The new facility located in Courtland, Alabama, adds to Lockheed Martin’s impressive repertoire of state-of-the-art manufacturing plants. Including their facility dedicated to building the world’s fleet of F-35 Lightning II multirole jet fighters, which is part of the most expensive military project in human history.
The Courtland plant is one of four so-called “intelligent factories” that Lockheed Martin will open this year. All new facilities will work closely with the US Department of Defense to maintain manufacturing deadlines. Lockheed Martin's top brass seems confident the new 65,000 square foot facility is up to the task.
It’s been over 50 years since the first hypersonic human-crewed aircraft shattered every speed record ever put on paper in the X-15. The intellectual property of North American Aviation, the company that designed and built the famous rocket plane, is now owned by Lockheed-Martin. And so, the next chapter is ready to unfold in the story of hypersonic flight.
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